Tag: Johnathan Abram News

After near injury, Raiders SS Johnathan Abram brings second-half energy vs. Saints

It appeared Raiders safety Johnathan Abram was injured in the first half against the Saints, but he returned and made an impact.

Early in the Raiders’ win against the Saints, Las Vegas was struggling to contain Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense. But what happened to safety Johnathan Abram early in the contest was more concerning.

He appeared to be seriously injured after making a diving tackle during the Saints’ second series. Abram dove out of bounds, colliding with a cart placed near the boundary by the TV crew. He lay motionless as the telecast went to commercial.

He rose to his feet, however, returning to the sideline under his own power, and with a pep in his step, too. It was a relief for the Raiders franchise and its fans. Abram, the promising second-year pro, missed almost all of last season with a shoulder injury.

Soon thereafter, Abram returned to the game. He also helped the defense slow down the Saints, as best they could, in the second half. According to linebacker Nicholas Morrow, the coaching staff had one main request for the defense at intermission, and Abram happily complied.

“The message was to play with more energy. We got guys like Johnathan Abram. We got guys like Maxx Crosby. We got those young guys who are the catalyst of our defense; they get us going emotionally,” Morrow told reporters after the game. “And JA [Johnathan Abram], he went out there and made sure we stayed on with our energy, communicating. He went out there and basically stayed on his energy, just communicated on the back end.”

Though the Raiders enjoyed a historic victory Monday night, the defense remains a concern. It’s imperative that they maximize their potential, and energy, attitude and communication are important characteristics of a solid defense that can’t be underestimated. They’re extremely important.

Those happen to be Abram’s strengths, as are his physical skills. And after Abram returned from his frighting collision and was cleared by medical staff, he didn’t miss a beat. That attitude has to continue if Las Vegas is to win consistently.

“Honestly, it was just energy,” Morrow said. “Just keep our energy up. Don’t let them win.”

Sometimes, football is as simple as that. Energy. Attitude. Don’t let them win. After two games in 2020, Abram is solidifying his role on an evolving defense, showing his teammates that even if you get knocked down, you’ve got to get back up and make it clear that you’re there to stay.

In his second year, Raiders SS Johnathan Abram’s No. 1 focus is staying healthy

It’s Johnathan Abram’s 2nd year with the Raiders, but he’s played in just one game due to injury. He intended to change that in 2020.

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The Raiders had three first-round picks in 2019 but only got to watch two play a significant amount of snaps.

But what was last year’s loss is this year’s gain.

Second-year safety Johnathan Abram suited up for the 2019 season opener against the Broncos, but he was lost for the campaign after he made an impactful hit on his opponent, injuring his shoulder.

Abram, for that one game, lived up to his reputation as a brash, big-hitting safety. He had looked the part at 2019 training camp, as well — when the coaching staff had to consistently remind him to not hit his teammates.

But the former first-round choice is back from his shoulder injury, and his goal this season is to play with the entire campaign in mind, not just one big hit.

“I’m very excited to get back out. I don’t think my biggest concern is rushing back to try to technically lay somebody out. More so, just being smarter this year,” Abram said to reporters on Wednesday. “Making sure that I’m available because the best ability is availability. So, just making sure I stay healthy. That’s my biggest concern this year.”

If Las Vegas is to improve on its 7-9 record from a year ago, it needs its first-round selections to become solid starters. Abram has learned that the NFL season is more of a marathon than a sprint — no doubt with help from Gruden, who is fond of saying that the best ability is availability.

If he can stay on the field, he can enjoy doing what he loves to do, and that’s play football, not rehab from injury.

“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to is just being out there with my teammates and helping the guys get a couple wins and get to the playoffs and do what we need to do to turn this thing around,” he said. 

The entire team is likely chomping at the bit to play real football, Abram included. Raiders fans can’t wait to see what he can do, either, and all involved hope the brash safety can maintain his edge and play for an entire season, helping to lead the young defense.

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Raiders SS Johnathan Abram primed to lead young secondary in Las Vegas

Raiders S Johnathan Abram missed a lot of games last season, but he hasn’t stopped learning the Las Vegas defensive scheme.

It’s a youth movement in the Raiders secondary in 2020, and a lot of pieces have to fall into place for the unit to succeed, especially without a preseason to work out the kinks.

Luckily for coach Jon Gruden, one of the group’s leaders has taken an abundance of mental reps over the last year and is ready to call the shots from the back end.

Second-year safety Johnathan Abram, who missed all but one game last season, apparently used his spare time to learn the playbook and is more comfortable imparting his knowledge pre-snap, according to coach Jon Gruden.

“I think he’s becoming a better communicator which you have to be in the back end. I mean, you have to be able to recognize splits, formations, know the situation and communicate that to those around you,” Gruden said of Abram on Wednesday. “We’re hoping we can create an identity on that side of the ball centered around a bunch of young guys. So, he’s a key, no doubt. And those are the key things, I think.” 

The Raiders are set to start young cornerbacks Damon Arnette and Trayvon Mullen on the outside, and they’ll need leadership, even if it comes from another young player in Abram.

“As far as communication, I understand it a lot more,” Abram told reporters on Wednesday. “I see things before they happen, so I just try to make sure everybody on the field know. No need to let people run into the blind when I know what’s going on.”

The Raiders are in their third year of a rebuild, and an abundance of young players must step up. Abram especially must take command of the secondary. He thrived in that role at Mississippi State, and it’s clearly Gruden’s plan to have a similar situation in Las Vegas.

Hopefully for the Raiders, Abram’s missed time on the field will add up to increased knowledge this season, which actually pays off in the long run as he leads his young crew.

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